Monarto Safari Park wins major prizes including top honour at the 2023 SA Tourism Awards

A popular park took out the top prize, while the location of British singer Sam Smith’s winery gig was also honoured at the SA Tourism Awards. See all the winners and medallists.

Monarto Safari Park secured two major prizes – including the top honour – at the 2023 SA Tourism Awards.

The popular park, which is home to more than 700 exotic African and Australian native animals, won the Major Tourist Attraction award and the Voters’ Choice Award for Experience and/or Service.

There were four new inductees into the SA Tourism Hall of Fame, having won their respective categories for the third year in a row: The Cedars Hahndorf (Cultural Tourism), Bendleby Ranges (Adventure Tourism), Woodhouse Adventure Park (Unique Accommodation) and Naiko Retreat (Self-contained Accommodation).

African Lion cubs Malkia and Chad snapped by keeper Gemma at Monarto Safari Park. Picture: ZoosSA

More than 30 category winners, four Hall of Fame entrants, and silver and bronze medallists were recognised at a gala dinner at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Friday night.

McLaren Vale’s d’Arenberg – where British superstar Sam Smith performed in January – won the Tourist Attractions gong, Illuminate Adelaide the Major Festival and Events category, while Seppeltsfield Wines secured the Tourism Wineries prize.

Renmark’s Twenty Third Street Distillery won the Tourism Distilleries & Breweries and Adelaide Showground Farmers Market the Excellence in Food Tourism award.

British singer Sam Smith's exclusive show at the d’Arenberg Cube in McLaren Vale on January 11. Picture: Ben Clark

Seppeltsfield Wines. Photo: Brendan Holman.

Longtime Australian Hotels Association SA chief executive Ian Horne was honoured with the Outstanding Contribution award, Isabel Nietschke secured the Young Achiever prize and Jayant Jain was named South Australian Taxi Driver of the Year.

Winners from most categories will go on to represent South Australia in the national Australian Tourism Awards in Darwin next year.

South Australian Tourism Industry Council chief executive Shaun de Bruyn congratulated all winners, medallists and finalists.

“The South Australian Tourism Awards give us a stage to showcase the excellence, innovation and dedication of our industry. I am proud to recognise every entrant in this year’s South Australian Tourism Awards program as dedicated operators striving for excellence,” he said.

Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison said the quality of winners showed why SA was a must-visit destination.

“With South Australia’s visitor economy at an all-time high of $9.9 billion, it is clear this could only be achieved through the innovation and dedication of operators across the state who deliver incredible offerings which entice visitors from all over to see South Australia,” she said.

ALL THE WINNERS

Major Tourist Attractions

Monarto Safari Park

Silver

Adelaide Oval

Tourist Attractions

d’Arenberg

Silver

Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society

Major Festivals & Events

Illuminate Adelaide

Silver

Adelaide Cabaret Festival

Bronze

WOMADelaide

Festivals & Events

2023 Let’s Go Caravan, Camping and Outdoor Show

Silver

SALT Festival 2023

Bronze

DreamBIG Children’s Festival

Eco-tourism

The Big Duck Boat Tours

Silver

Camel Treks Australia

Bronze

CABN

Cultural Tourism

The Cedars Hahndorf – Hall of Fame

Silver

Adelaide Zoo

Bronze

Flamboyance Tours

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Island Tourism Experiences

Kool Tours

Tourism Retail, Hire & Services

Copper Trails Bike Hire

Visitor Information Services

Port Lincoln Visitor Information Centre

Silver

Burra & Goyder Visitor Information Centre

Business Event Venues

Adelaide Oval

Tour & Transport Operators

Spirit of the Coorong

Silver

Experience Coffin Bay

Bronze

Carriage of Occasion

Adventure Tourism

Bendleby Ranges – Hall of Fame

Silver

Woodhouse Adventure Park

Bronze

Bike About Cycling Tours & Hire

Tourism Marketing & Campaigns

RDA Eyre Peninsula – Eyre. The Wild Side

Silver

Kangaroo Island Tourism Alliance

Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services

The Currant Shed

Silver

L’Anse French Cafe

Bronze

Watervale Hotel

Tourism Wineries

Seppeltsfield Wines

Silver

Kimbolton Wines

Bronze

Elderton Wines

Tourism Distilleries & Breweries

Twenty Third Street Distillery

Caravan & Holiday Parks

BIG4 West Beach Parks

Silver

Minlaton Caravan Park

Bronze

Karoonda Tourist Park

Hosted Accommodation

Oceanview Eco Villas

Unique Accommodation

Woodhouse Adventure Park – Hall of Fame

Silver

Bukirk Glaming & Fancy Coops

Self-Contained Accommodation

Naiko Retreat – Hall of Fame

Silver

Old Coach Road Estate

3-3.5 Star Accommodation

ibis Adelaide

Silver

Kangaroo Island Seaview Motel

4-4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation

Beach Huts Middleton

Silver

Bridgeport Hotel

Bronze

Pullman Adelaide

5 Star Luxury Accommodation

Sequoia Lodge

Silver

Le Mas Barossa

New Tourism Business

Port River Cruises

Silver

Brindabella Sailing

Bronze

Beresford Estate

Excellence in Food Tourism

Adelaide Showground Farmers Market

Silver

Anita Robin, the foodbuilder

Excellence in Accessible Tourism

Adelaide Fringe

Silver

Monarto Safari Park

Bronze

BIG4 Renmark Riverfront Holiday Park

Outstanding Contribution

Ian Horne

Young Achiever

Isabel Nietschke

South Australian Taxi Driver of the Year

Jayant Jain

Voters’ Choice: Experience / Service

Monarto Safari Park

Voters’ Choice: Accommodation

BIG4 Renmark Riverfront Holiday Park